EPL: How Hazard, Courtois caused Conte’s sack as Chelsea’s manager

It has been revealed that Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois were among the key reasons Antonio Conte was sacked as Chelsea’s manager.

According to UK Express, the two Belgian stars had refused to sign their contract extensions because they were no longer comfortable with Conte’s alleged aggressiveness.

Hazard, Courtois and other key players were not happy with Conte’s Italian coaching staff who increasingly fell out with senior figures at the club.

Express reports that what worried the club and finally pressed owner, Roman Abramovich into meeting Napoli president ,Aurelio De Laurentiis this week to push the deal for Maurizio Sarri was that Conte fully intended to see out the final year of his contract if no agreement was made.

That would have meant that players such as Hazard and Courtois, both yet to sign new deals, were likely to leave Stamford Bridge.

Recall that in the wake of Chelsea’s FA Cup win, forward, Willian obscured Conte in a celebration photograph posted on Instagram.

Yesterday, Spain midfielder, Cesc Fabregas “liked” a Tweet celebrating Conte’s departure, but later claimed it was a mistake.

Chelsea hoped that another club might attempt to buy Conte out of the final year of his deal, but possible openings at Paris Saint-Germain and Italy national team never materialised.

It means that he will now receive over 9 million pounds from the Blues over the sack.